First Online: 01 October 2010Received: 29 April 2010Accepted: 16 June 2010

Abstract

ObjectiveTo study the clinical profile and outcome of children screened and diagnosed for Swine flu at a tertiary care hospital.

MethodsAll Children with suspicion of swine flu infection attending our hospital during the epidemic from August 2009 through January 2010 were screened and categorized into A, B and C as per guidelines of National Health and family welfare. Patients in Category A were advised home quarantine, Category B tested and treated with ostelamivir and Category C were hospitalized.

ResultsAmong 424 cases screened for Swine flu, 79 were children in the age group 0–12 years of age 18.6%. The median age of presentation was 5 years. Children belonging to Category A were 4354.4%, Category B were 3139.2% and Category C were 56.3%. Out of the cases that were screened, 19 children were confirmed positive for H1N1 infection30.2%.Out of positive cases 8 were in category A 42%, eight were in category B 42% and five were in category C 26.3%.

ConclusionsDuring the epidemic of swine flu at puducherry, majority of cases were category A with mild symptoms. Home quarantine and preventive measures during the epidemic were found to be far more important than testing and treating with Oseltamivir.